Spiti Ecosphere

Akanksha Apte, hfi CUA™ and Neelanjan Roy, an adventurous couple from Bengaluru, joined our Snow Leopard Expedition this winter. Passionate motorcyclists with a love for travel, they’re always eager to explore new places. “We had initially heard about Ecosphere from a friend and upon further research, we were impressed with Ecosphere’s wide range of travel options and their eco-friendly, community-first approach to tourism in Spiti Valley. We wanted to travel to Spiti in winter and hence chose to be a part of the Snow Leopard Expedition.” Reflecting on their journey, Akanksha and Neelanjan shared that their recent trip to Spiti during winter was far deeper and more meaningful than they had anticipated. “While meeting new people, staying with the locals, sharing meals & stories, and experiencing -24C cold was exciting, we do feel a certain longing to return back to this majestic destination.” “At every step of our journey, we felt right at home. The resilience of the locals, their warm and welcoming smiles despite the circumstances was something that we will cherish for a lifetime.” “Experiences such as the one we had, do ask us to question the purpose of life, strive to lead more sustainable lives, and carry about with positivity no matter the challenges that surround us.” Reflecting on their experience with us, they remarked, “Travelling with the Ecosphere was great. We loved spending time and bonding with the Ecosphere team, right from sharing stories with Chachaji (Mr. Hoshiyar Singh) to tracking elusive pugmarks with our guide Ringzin, or relishing Padma ji’s hearty meals at KT Homestay.” “We are genuinely grateful to the Ecosphere team for helping us make memories for a lifetime.”

Bathing in Spiti isn’t as simple as it sounds in its harsh winter, with temperatures dropping to -30 degrees. Limited fuelwood for heating water and no bathrooms in traditional homes makes it challenging, especially for women. To resolve this issue, we introduced solar baths across Spiti valley. Last year, students from Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School of England joined us and volunteered with Spiti Ecosphere to build a solar bathing facility at Kwang Nunnery. Powered by solar geysers and designed on solar passive principles, these facilities provide a warm space for bathing and easy access to hot water. This initiative has improved hygiene and reduced carbon emissions by cutting down on fuelwood usage—a small change with lasting impact for Spiti’s people and environment. #solarprojects #solarpower #energyefficiency #solarenergy

Winter in Spiti isn’t just a season, it’s an invitation to step into another world. Frozen rivers, tranquil valleys, serene monasteries and the slow rhythm of local life—winter in Spiti offers a peaceful escape from the chaos. Join us, the locals of Spiti, to explore this winter paradise—be it its snowy landscapes or experiencing the richness of local life. This is your opportunity to have Spiti all to yourself, in its most serene and enchanting form. Explore the authentic Winter Spiti with us, just as we live it every day. To receive detailed itineraries, DM us or contact us at +91 9899492417.

The introduction of greenhouses in Spiti is revolutionizing food access during its harsh winters. Spiti residents can now grow fresh vegetables year-round in these Greenhouses, even in the coldest months. Designed specifically for Spiti’s cold desert conditions, they use solar energy to create an ideal environment for growing vegetables. You can also become a part of our journeys of change. Join our Greening the Desert program, where travellers come together to build a greenhouse that provides a family with lifelong access to fresh vegetables—even in the freezing winters. Tap here for details: https://lnkd.in/g43fPJCi And if you wish to join the same, then send us a DM or comment below. #greenhouse #greenenergy #solarenergy #energyefficiency

Priyanka joined our Run a Café volunteering program, managing Sol Café for a month. While travelling across India with her boyfriend, they sought to do something meaningful in Spiti. Sharing what inspired her to sign up, she said: “We were impressed by the amazing initiatives of Ecosphere for the development of the local community in Spiti. We wanted to learn about the local culture and give back something. Our passion for meaningful traveling compelled us to sign up with Ecosphere.” Taking on the café’s front desk for the first time as an introvert was challenging, but it pushed her to grow. “I have grown over these days developing my people management skills, multitasking all day long and ensuring positive reviews from the customers.” “Be it helping the chef, managing cash registers, engaging with customers, learning local food preparation or cherishing the huge rocky mountains - It was a journey I would cherish lifelong.” For Priyanka, volunteering in Spiti was a profound journey that reshaped her perspective. “Running a Cafe is not just about manning the front desk and networking, some days you need to become the chef, some days you need to mop the floor and some days you just need to relax.” “I understood that no work is small or big, we should gracefully execute every task that comes our way!”

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year! Before we dive into 2025 here’s a quick look back at 2024— a year of remarkable growth and creating meaningful impact. From expanding our community initiatives to memorable trips and impactful volunteering, the year has been a testament to the collective effort we’ve all invested. A heartfelt thank you to all our incredible travellers, volunteers and supporters for being part of our Journeys of change and believing in our mission. Learn more about our 2024 journey and what we accomplished together in our blog post here: https://lnkd.in/g2PrmqJF

This Christmas, become a Santa for Spiti’s dogs and help keep them well-fed!🎅 Winters in Spiti are harsh on stray dogs as they struggle to find food in the freezing cold. The lack of food forces these dogs to turn feral, often attacking smaller  livestock or dogs to survive. But you can make a difference—be their Santa and help fill their bellies this season. Through our dog feeding program, we team up with locals and dog lovers to ensure your support directly benefits these furry friends. If you wish to contribute, then send us a DM for more details. #animalwelfare #dogfeeding #straydogs

Spreading Smiles in Dehradun! 🌟 Our dental team at the ‘MUSE Charitable Dental Clinic’ has been super busy these past few weeks! After successfully completing oral health camps at John Martyn Memorial School and Purkal Youth Development Society (PYDS), we are now holding camps at various locations of Dehradun with Aasraa Trust.🦷 We’ve been able to reach out to over 650 persons creating much needed awareness about oral health and treated over 300 patients so far and are committed to reaching even more! Through our treatments and awareness sessions, we’re addressing issues like tooth decay, infections, gum diseases and providing treatments like fillings, root canals, crowns and more.🪥 Many people face these challenges silently, and we’re here to provide treatment for healthier, pain-free smiles. Good oral health in turn improves overall health by preventing serious conditions linked to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, diabetes & more. From free checkups and treatments to awareness session, we’re on a mission to make dental care accessible to everyone.😁 We are thankful to all the organizations for their commitment to oral health and for joining hands with us to ensure improved dental care access for more and more people . #oralhealth #Dentalcare #healthforall #dentalcamps #ngoindia

Are you passionate about creating content?📸 We have the perfect opportunity for you! ❄️ Winter Volunteer in Spiti Valley ❄️ Join us for an exciting volunteering experience in Spiti, where you’ll have the chance to capture the stunning landscapes, rich culture, and daily life of Spiti during winter. In return, your stay and food will be covered. 📩 If you’re interested, then tap here for details and to apply: https://lnkd.in/ggV-62c7 #volunteering #volunteerism #volunteer

Did you know you can offset the emissions from your travels? But how? By opting for carbon-negative trips, you can make a real difference. First, let’s understand what that means. A carbon-negative footprint means we remove more Carbon-Dioxide from the atmosphere than we emit, which helps in reducing negative impacts on the climate and environment. Ecosphere’s trips are carbon-negative. When you travel with us, the carbon generated on each trip is carefully calculated and offset by us yearly through our award-winning solar projects. Ecosphere invests every year in creating more Solar Rooms for Spiti’s local community. Each Solar Room reduces 2.5 tons of CO2 & Black Carbon otherwise emitted per household to stay warm during the winters. So by traveling with us, you not only go Carbon Negative but also enable greener choices for the local communities while also supporting their livelihood, health and education. And that’s how you make a difference. By choosing carbon-negative trips, you become a responsible traveler, actively contributing to a healthier planet and a sustainable future. #carbonnegative #carbonfootprint #sustainabletravel #ecofriendly Saba Kauser